Great Quote by Robert J. Shiller
“Housing traditionally is not viewed as a great investment. It takes maintenance; it depreciates. It goes out of style. All of those are problems. And there's technical progress in housing. So, new ones are better. So, why was it considered an investment? That was a fad.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Outlook, Robert J. Shiller, 2023
Housing is often seen as a poor investment because it incurs costs, loses value, and falls out of fashion, yet technological advances improve newer homes, making the old perception a temporary trend.
In simple terms: Housing can be a bad investment unless new tech improves it.
Key Takeaway
Consider how technology changes asset value.
Themes
investment
real estate
technology
economics
trends
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
critical
When to use this quote
- home buying decisions
- urban planning
- policy making
- financial advising
Key Concepts
Asset depreciation
maintenance costs
technological innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate a property's long‑term value?
- What role does technology play in housing investment?
A Different Perspective
Even with tech, housing still requires upkeep and market risk.
